Trubisky deserves more time at QB
October 5, 2022
On Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers benched quarterback Mitch Trubisky for rookie Kenny Pickett. Once in, Pickett did not look ready for the moment even through the sparks of potential he did show.
Now the Steelers have announced that Pickett will start Sunday against Buffalo. This is the wrong decision.
When the Steelers drafted Pickett, many fans assumed he would be a Day 1 starter. But after a disappointing camp and having Trubisky outplay him, the Steelers chose Trubisky. That should have been the first warning to Steelers fans that even though Pickett was already 23 when he was drafted, he still was not ready for the NFL.
In the two quarters Pickett played on Sunday, he threw three interceptions. Some fans are maintaining that he truly only had one interception, as the others should have been caught. But that does not change any of the stats.
Trubisky was not given a fair opportunity, as the offense seemed to baby both quarterbacks too much. Trubisky is known for being able to create big plays either with his legs or his arm. Pickett does not have anywhere near the same arm strength as Trubisky, as fans saw in the interception that was intended for Chase Claypool.
Pickett did bring the intensity to the stadium when he was subbed in and now everyone has hopped on the Pickett bandwagon since he is the Pittsburgh kid.
But Trubisky is more skilled, prepared and still has more potential than Pickett ever will. With only a four-year age difference between the two and Trubisky already entering his sixth season, he should have been the starter for longer than what the Steelers have given him.
Additionally, considering the next four games on the schedule and how unlikely the Steelers are to win any of them, the team is just putting Pickett in danger. Each of the four teams the Steelers will play has a stellar defensive line. Putting them up against a struggling Steelers offensive line will only mean that Pickett will have minimum time in the pocket and will most likely be sacked more than he ever has.
Trubisky should be starting the rest of this year and maybe next, letting Pickett learn under his wing and preparing him for the future. Pickett is nowhere close to being ready enough to be a starter for a team that should be contending considering their roster.